AI and modern technology may pose challenges to judiciary in future: Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said artificial intelligence and modern technology may pose fresh challenges to the judiciary in the future, while stressing that technology and justice must work “in harmony.”

Shah was speaking at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi during the launch of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s first two books, The Bench, the Bar and the Bizarre and The Lawful and the Awful.

Referring to one of the books, Shah said it attempted to examine the impact of emerging technologies on courts and the justice delivery system.

“The Bench, the Bar and the Bizarre appears like the work of an inquisitive mind. In it, an attempt has been made, through concrete examples, to explain the kinds of challenges that artificial intelligence and modern technologies may pose before the judiciary in the future,” Shah said.

“It teaches us that while technology and justice must work in harmony, the warnings associated with it must also be understood.” he added.

Shah also spoke about institutional balance between the judiciary and the executive, saying the strength of democracy lies in “mutual respect” rather than confrontation.

The Home Minister added that constitutional proprieties and institutional boundaries had remained intact in India over the past 76 years.

“It is a matter of great satisfaction for all of us that constitutional norms and institutional proprieties have remained intact in our country, and through conventions and traditions, we have continued to strengthen them further,” he said.

According to Shah, the balance maintained between the executive and judiciary over decades should continue to be strengthened.

“The healthy practice that has evolved over the last 75 years between the executive and the judiciary, maintaining balance between the two, must be strengthened further and carried forward collectively by all of us,” he said.

At the outset of his speech, Shah referred to being advised earlier in the day that his remarks at the event would be viewed through the prism of the relationship between the government and the judiciary.

“Since there are many members of the media present here, let me clarify at the outset itself that nobody is going to get anything controversial from me today,” he said.

Shah also said citizens continue to repose faith in courts when faced with injustice.

“There is a deep sense of trust among the people of this country that if injustice is done to them, the Constitution stands awake in protection,” he said.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant presided over the event, while Attorney General R Venkataramani attended as guest of honour.

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